Blue Jays 8, Twins 1: Homer-Happy Canadian Team Clobbers Third Place American Team

by Jesse on Jul 9, 2010 6:30 AM EDT in Game Recaps

TORONTO - JULY 8: Jose Molina #8 of the Toronto Blue Jays rounds he bases after a home run against Alex Burnett #31 of the Minnesota Twins at The Rogers Centre July 8 2010 in Toronto Ontario Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)

Ouch.

Fred Lewis and Adam Lind went deep in the first and second respectively, although they were both solo shots and didn't hurt as much as a bases-clearing double by Alex Gonzalez. Another trio of long balls were a knockout blow later in the contest, but this one really wasn't ever a contest.

The lone highlight for the Twins? Michael Cuddyer's solo home run, his eighth of the year.

Baker lasted six innings and didn't walk a soul, with Toronto picking up seven hits. Sadly two were home runs and one was that three-run double. Alex Burnett's inning included another pair of home runs, and the third and final pitcher of the night for the Twins, Ron Mahay, insisted on not being left out and let up the staff's fifth homer.

With the Twins now securely in third place following Chicago's 1-0 win over the Angels yesterday, and the Twins suddenly just five games over .500, you have to ask yourself: what's happening to our pitching?

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Yes the pitching is lacking

but this line-up sucked and we scored one run. Theirs a good chance Lee would have lost. The offence needs more consistency. Gardy can’t play 3 subs in the day games and expect to win. Why does it seem no other team sits players? It’s time Burnett went down, he’s pitched well for a rookie. Duensing needs a start. Maybe even Manship. It’s a long season and we need to see all the possibilities. I’d like to see Ramos up, Plouffe,Morales,Slama and Waldrop. If they are going to help us they need more time in the Pros. It might be time to put the best 25 players on the team bus. (no more seasoning)

by b1 on Jul 9, 2010 7:44 AM EDT reply actions

about ramos

why get him up here if you are calling for consistency? he would just replace butera as a backup and i dont see the point there, even if he is a trade chip wouldnt he be a better trade chip getting playing time in rochester?
i dont think duensing should be given a start – we need him in the pen more than anything right now it seems – i do agree on slama or waldrop up and burnett down (mahay too?) but plouffe i dont see having a place anywhere either (i would rather have punto than him as the backup and lets groom plouffe for taking over next year for hudson – but in rochester)

by twinscrazy_german on Jul 9, 2010 7:53 AM EDT up reply actions

what subs?

Repko vs a LH is fair play, and Morneau was hurt. Against a lefty, you don’t want to use Thome. There’s no one else. When the team is down 5-0 within 2 innings, it’s hard to feel like you’re in the game. Even when the offense has scored runs recently, the pitching has blown it late in the game.

by matswilander on Jul 9, 2010 7:56 AM EDT reply actions

predictable

The results of Moonshot Scott vs. the Blue Jays were easy to predict. What’s more frightening is the way Burnett has pitched lately (and even worse is that John Gordon calls him AJ Burnett).

by wcooley on Jul 9, 2010 8:36 AM EDT reply actions

Floyd Gavin is still my favorite Gordon goof-up

He has reversed the name of the White Sox pitcher on multiple occasions.

by Sheldon on Jul 9, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Twins headed down the crapper

Coming in, they needed Baker, Slowey and Blackburn to take a step forward, or at least two of them. They are all regressing. When you lose games you should win, like on Wednesday, then you still lose the games you are supposed to lose, like yesterday. That is a prescription for sub .500 baseball.

Here they are with two relievers in Rochester with ERAs around 1, and they cling to Burnett and Mahay as if they are all they can imagine. This is just dumb. The Front Office looks paralyzed by this run, but really, after April, they have been playing .500 baseball. Anyone should have seen this coming.

Early on, they had like 9 or 10 series where they had a chance to sweep, even against the worst teams, and they couldn’t get it done. In retrospect, that was a sign of things to come. In baseball, you need to make hay when the sun shines, and if you don’t, it comes back to you as a spoiled season.

by Old Twins Cap on Jul 9, 2010 9:14 AM EDT reply actions

I'm afraid . . .

that the Twins we all got excited about in April were largely a byproduct of the easiest schedule in the majors (through April). As of today, the Twins now have had the 7th toughest schedule in the majors, and it’s showing them for who they are: a good, but not great, team.

The problem with upgrading this team is that there is no patently obvious area for massive improvement. They have the 5th highest OPS in the American league, and they have the 6th best ERA. I honestly think this team needs a good right-handed infield/bench bat, a nice power arm (losing Nathan has hurt bullpen depth more than people want to let on), and another quality starter.

I’m not sure just one of those three things makes enough difference to get this team past the big boys in the AL East.

by WolvesFan03 on Jul 9, 2010 9:40 AM EDT reply actions

The problem with upgrading this team is that there is no patently obvious area for massive improvement.

There is.

Of Baker Slowey and Blackburn, none are consistant. One needs to go for Oswalt or Lee. Pan away but that makes this team much better.

Seattle was asking for Slowey when the Twins were trying to get Washburn (ugh!) so maybe they still want him. Could Seattle turn down Slowey, Ramos, and (insert mid-level prospect they like here)?

by d_fens on Jul 9, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

And you like the Twins????

by b1 on Jul 9, 2010 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Well that sucked

I never bought into all the hype that we were going to walk away with the AL Central. Two games back is not the end of the season. I’m sure the Twins we saw this spring will be back and we’ll find ourselves back on top.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"Now I am become Mod, the destroyer of bad words." -fischean

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Jul 9, 2010 9:46 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any one of us." -Kirby Puckett
"Now I am become Mod, the destroyer of bad words." -fischean

by less cowbell, more 'neau on Jul 9, 2010 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

+1

This is one of my favorites :)

Let's Go Twins!
Minnesota Wild Off-season: In Fletch We Trust.

by redheadzeb on Jul 9, 2010 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree

It’s a long way till sept. I think some arms need a rest (baker, blackburn) and some new faces need some at bats Velencia,Ramos,Plouffe. Could they do any worse? Cuddyer needs some days off, so does Hudson. lets get the best 25 for the next 2-1/2 months.

by b1 on Jul 9, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions